The 2023 Grand Opening of the Highlands Historical Society Museum will be on Saturday, May 27, 2023 with a program, refreshments and entertainment beginning at 11:00 am. The museum is located at 520 North 4th Street, Highlands, NC.
The museum will feature two new exhibits this year: The
Mountain Music of Highlands and Golf on the Highlands Plateau.
The Mountain Music of Highlands
An interactive exhibit which explores the rich legacy of Old Time and Bluegrass music played on the Highlands Plateau. From parlors and porches, to parks, pews and pubs, mountain music has been played in a wide variety of venues by a richly talented assortment of musicians, past and present. Through video, audio and photos, the differences in musical styles are explained as are the special instruments which give the two genres their unique sounds. The exhibit culminates with tales told of some of the fascinating people who shaped the musical culture that still rings out in Highlands today.
Highlands Historical Society Museum
The museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm beginning May 27, 2023 through the end of October.
Sponsorship
Sponsorships are available for $250 per couple and include a limited edition poster, signed by the artist. To become a sponsor, please fill out the form below and donate using the PayPal link provided after the form is submitted, or mail the information below in with a check for $250 to:
Highlands Historical Society
P.O. Box 670
Highlands, NC 28741
Dahlia's Debut Sponsorship Form
14th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival
Dazzling Dahlia Festival is sponsored by Visit Highlands, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.
Single Bloom Competition Information (PDF)
Nonprofit Participation Invitation (PDF)
September 5-7, 2024
5/24: Call for Poster Competition Entries
8/27 (5-8pm): Flower Power “Elevated” Woodstock Patron’s Party
At the High Country & Smokehouse. This will be a pay-to-attend party. Details to follow. All other events are free to the public.
At The Bascom:
9/5 - Poster Party, 5 pm
9/6 - single bloom (flowers received from 8 am - 11 am)
9/7 OPEN FROM 10 am - 4 pm
Throughout Highlands:
9/7 - Dahlia Festival Vignettes
Steel Toe Stilleto band @ Kelsey-Hutchinson Park 6-9 pm
Floral Vignette Competition
Click Below:
View the non-native plants we don’t want to celebrate.
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- Do not interfere with right-of-way on sidewalks, doorways, or streets.
- The display must consist of 50% dahlias and 50% non-invasive native plants.
- HHS will assign an approved location for display; however, if you have a site request, please include it, and we will accommodate it if possible.
- You may work alone or with others, and businesses may enter.
- Installations are to be Friday, September 6, 2024, between 9 am and 4 pm.
- Your display must be completed by 10 am on Saturday, September 7th.
- Installations must be removed by noon on Monday, September 9th.
- No security will be provided, so please do not use anything precious.
- You are responsible for watering if needed.
- Your installation must be weather hardy—able to withstand possible rain or wind.
- Props are allowed, within reason.
- You must list your florals and plant materials on the plant material list we will provide.
- No controversial, risqué, or political designs.
- August 9th is the deadline to turn in wording for your sign.
- A panel of 3 secret judges will award competition entries based on design, story, execution, and dahlias.
- The public may vote for free on our website. Winners will be announced Saturday night during the concert in the park.
- You must have a representative in KHFP during the concert in the park on Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Please have somebody present during the band intermission in case you win a ribbon.
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Entry Deadline: August 9, 2024.
Online entry only.
Click for Entry Form:
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Vignettes and maps will be placed at the following locations:
- The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts
- Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park
- Highlands Visitor Center
- and along Main Street in Highlands, NC
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Single Bloom Competition
The 14th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival will be held Friday, September 6, 2024, from 8 am - 11 am and 1 pm - 4 pm, and Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 10 am - 4 pm at The Bascom.
Click Below:
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This is an amateur show. Gardeners and growers of any level of experience are invited to enter; there is even a category for children. This year, we are adding a professional division, as we want our true amateurs to be rewarded for their gardens.
Entry will be in person - Friday September, 6 from 8am - 11 am at The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts. The registration fee is $20.00 for up to 8 blooms.
Upon arrival, there will be volunteers to assist you. Enter your blooms, and you could win “Best of Show.”
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Judging is based on the quality of the bloom. The entry should be one (1) bloom, no buds, preferably two (2) unmarred leaves, and no bugs. The bloom should be facing upward or outward. There will be bottles provided for display.
There will be classifiers to classify and categorize entries. You must remain with your blooms until registered and classified.
Categories Include:
- Decorative Formal
- Decorative Informal
- Anemone and Collarette
- PomPom and Ball
- Cactus and Semi-Cactus
- Laciniated
- Youth to Age 17
- Dinner Plate
- Arranged
- Miscellaneous: Single, Peony, Mignon, Orchid, Stellar, and WaterLilly
- Professional
This is not a sanctioned show, it is run by volunteers. Make time to stop in the Highlands Historical Village and peek into our past. Enter your blooms, come enjoy the flowers, visit the Bascom (free admission) and do not miss experiencing the dahlia festival that is going on all over town! We look forward to seeing you at this family fun event.
One important request, in addition to entering your dahlias in the single bloom competition, we would be honored if you would share any type of blooming flower and yes, greenery also. We make 100 mason jar arrangements to sell at the historical village and in KHFP, and all the flowers are donated. The Historical Village will be accepting flowers all day on Saturday September 8th, please share. Most people don’t grow dahlias, but they want to take some home from the show; the mason jar arrangements are a much loved part of the festival.
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The Dazzling Dahlia Festival is the primary fundraiser for the Highlands Historical Society. Make time to stop in the Highlands Historical Village and peek into our past. Enter your blooms, come enjoy the flowers, visit the Bascom (free admission) and do not miss experiencing the weekend-long dahlia festival that is going on all over town! We look forward to seeing you at this family fun event.
We also ask for any dahlias, or other flowers, and greenery that you are willing to donate to our flower sale. We make 100 mason jar arrangements to sell. Saturday and Sunday we will sell arrangements at the Highlands Historical Village and KHFP.
Upcoming Events
Throughout the year, the Highlands Historical Society offers a variety of programs related to Highlands history.
Become a Member of the Highlands Historical Society!
We welcome new members and renewed annual memberships, for your support is what allows the Historical Society to carry out its popular programs and meet its financial obligations. Most of our work involving docents, laborers, arrangers, preparers of food, etc., is done by volunteers, whose contributions are invaluable. If you are not a member, please consider joining us now.
About Our Town
The Historical Museum
Current Exhibits
Lodging